While rumours continue to swirl about the lack of cosmetic changes present in the upcoming iPhone 7, it appears later instalments could see Apple produce some of its sleekest designs.

A patent granted today indicates the company is exploring the possibility of an all-glass, wrap-around iPhone, also featuring the recently hinted curved display.

The device is described as having a transparent housing and a flexible display enclosed within it, which is capable of showing visual content at any position inside the housing - using virtual buttons in place of physical volume controls on the handset edge, for example.

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The same embodiment is also described as having a second flexible display assembly that works in concert with the primary one to present visual content in positions beyond the main screen.

Apple also notes that utilising a flexible display can provide additional viewing area without increasing either the size or shape of the electronic device. For example, a flexible display can be folded in such a way as to form a continuous loop, so that images can be presented in a wrap-around manner that looks like a continuous loop.

While most patents never see the light of day, it would be somewhat of a surprise if the Cupertino-based company didn't feature this design or a similar adaptation in future versions of the iPhone.

Also, as a side-note: if you're wondering why the sketch above features a 30-pin adapter, it's because the Lightning adapter wasn't yet on the market when Apple submitted the application in 2011.